Sidekick Australia Risk Policy

Sidekick recognises the importance of managing risk and ensuring that all stakeholders are aware of their role in identifying, analysing, evaluating, treating, monitoring and communicating risk in a systematic risk management approach.

Sidekick understands the organisation may be at risk when:

●       a well-functioning governance structure is not in place

●       management plans, policies and processes are inadequate

●       staff member roles and responsibilities are unclear

●       participants are not required to sign consent forms or waivers

●       equipment and facilities are not safe for the intended use

●       implementation of a comprehensive risk management plan has not occurred.

●       finances are managed inappropriately resulting in inadequate financial sustainability and cash flow

●       insurance is inadequate or inappropriate

●       operations are not evaluated regularly.

Sidekick has established and maintained a Risk Management Plan. The plan identifies and addresses:

●       Risks to Sidekick - Including loss of funding, inability to deliver funded outcomes within budget, embezzlement of funds, lack of suitably qualified staff, extended staff illness, damage to reputation and relationships, changes in compliance requirements and eligibility, decisions by the CEO and loss of data due to natural disasters.

●       Risks to staff - Including lack of suitably qualified staff, extended staff illness, staff member injury due to WHS risks, changes in training and education compliance requirements, impacts of natural disasters and infection.

●       Risks to participants - Including environmental, fire, falls, transport, staff working in a participant’s home, changes in the consistency of performance of activities, interruptions to service delivery and exit plans (transitioning services to another service provider).